Sharm el-Sheikh: Ras Mohammed Elite VIP Cruise and BBQ Lunch

Ras Mohammed is the reason to book this cruise: clear Red Sea water, coral reefs, and a full day on a large, comfortable boat rather than a quick snorkeling run. I like the roomy top deck with padded loungers, and I like the calm, careful help in the water from guides such as Ahmed, Umar, and Mohamed.

I also like the fresh-cooked seafood lunch and steady drink service. The main caution is practical: the boat ride is long, the sea can turn choppy or cold in winter, and the marina fee and snorkeling equipment may cost extra. One account also found the afternoon transfer cramped, so transport is not quite as polished as the boat itself.

Key points

• Three Red Sea stops: Snorkel at several sites inside Ras Mohammed National Park, with guides in the water.
• White Island visit: Spend about 45 minutes at a bright sandbar reached from the boat.
• Large four-deck vessel: Use the top sun deck, shaded tables, or two air-conditioned salons.
• Fresh buffet lunch: Expect soup, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and fruit.
• Good support for nervous swimmers: Life jackets, a low rear platform, and close guide supervision make the water more approachable.
• Seven-hour outing for $80: Pickup, cruise, crew, and lunch are included, but check the marina fee, gear, and drink details before paying.

Why Ras Mohammed Makes This Cruise Worth Your Day

Ras Mohammed National Park protects some of the finest coral areas near Sharm El Sheikh. The appeal is below the surface: hard and soft coral, small reef fish, larger fish, and the chance of turtles, octopus, seahorses, manta rays, or dolphins. Nature decides what appears, so no guide can promise a particular animal.

What you can count on is time in the water at several sites. This matters because one reef may be best for coral, another for fish, and another for the shape of the seabed or calmer swimming. I prefer this format to a single rushed stop. You get several chances to find your comfort level and see something different.

The cruise costs $80 per person. That is a fair price if you want a full boat day with lunch, hotel pickup, crew service, several water stops, and a large vessel with proper indoor space. A cheaper trip may get you to the same sea, but this boat gives you more room to spread out and escape the sun.

There are extra costs to watch. The mandatory marina entrance fee is 5 euros per person unless you prepay it as an add-on. Snorkeling equipment is also listed as an add-on, and one passenger found that refreshments beyond small cups of generic cola and lemonade were charged separately. The published offer describes unlimited hot and soft drinks, so I would confirm exactly what is included before departure.

From Sharm El Sheikh to the Marina

Pickup is from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel, usually about one hour before the trip begins. The drive to the marina takes about 25 minutes, though the exact pickup time arrives by WhatsApp around 24 hours before departure.

That system is useful, but do not wait until the morning to work out the details. Keep your phone active and check the message. The boat leaves at about 9:00 a.m. and returns around 4:00 p.m., making this a serious full-day outing rather than a short morning activity.

The transfer is the least consistent part of the experience. The morning ride has been described as smooth, but an afternoon return was cramped in one minivan. If you have booked separate transport for a small party, confirm how that arrangement will work. The boat is the polished part of the day; the road transfer can feel more ordinary.

At the marina, allow time for the 5 euro entrance charge if it has not been prepaid. You may also need to arrange snorkeling gear there if you did not select it in advance. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A dry change of clothes is sensible, though it is not specifically listed as required.

Four Decks and a Quiet Place in the Sun

The boat has four floors, a wide sun deck with loungers, shaded tables, and two air-conditioned salons. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose it over a basic snorkeling boat.

The top deck is the place for sun and open views. The loungers have comfortable cushions, and one family specifically chose the cruise for this feature. It is a good spot during the sailing sections, though wind can pick up on the return to the harbor.

Deck two offers shade and wooden tables. I would use this area when the sun becomes too strong or when you want to sit with lunch companions. The air-conditioned salons provide the best relief from heat and give you an indoor option if the wind rises or you simply need a break from the deck.

The calm atmosphere is another plus. The boat is not promoted as a party cruise, and the available comments describe peaceful sailing without loud music. That makes it better suited to families, couples, and anyone who wants to watch the water rather than spend the day beside speakers.

The boat can still feel busy during boarding, especially when several groups are finding their places. Once underway, though, the generous layout helps. You are not confined to one seat for seven hours.

The Long Sail to Ras Mohammed

The outward sailing section takes roughly two and a half hours. That sounds long if you are thinking only about snorkeling, but the time gives you a chance to settle into the boat and enjoy the Red Sea views.

I would treat this as part of the experience, not dead time. Have a drink, find a shaded seat, and listen for the crew’s safety instructions. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a central, lower area rather than at the very front or high on the top deck. The supplied information does not mention motion-sickness medication, so bring any personal remedy you already use.

The return portion takes about two hours, depending on the day and sea conditions. One excursion ran longer than expected because of health-related needs, so the schedule has some flexibility. Do not plan a tight dinner reservation or airport transfer immediately after the 4:00 p.m. return.

The boat’s size helps with comfort, but it does not stop the sea from moving. Choppy water made several swimmers choose life jackets, and the top deck can be windy on the way back. This is normal Red Sea boating, not a fault unique to this trip.

Snorkeling With Real Help in the Water

The snorkeling is the central event. You stop at up to three sites in Ras Mohammed National Park, with time for swimming, reef viewing, and guided exploration. The exact sea life changes from day to day, but the area can produce an impressive mix of coral and fish.

The guides are a major part of the value. Ahmed is an experienced diver who stayed close to nervous swimmers and checked that people were comfortable. Umar and Mohamed were also singled out for patient, attentive support in the water. Guides have helped children and less-confident swimmers, not just strong snorkelers.

A low platform at the rear of the boat provides access to the sea. Life jackets are available, and the crew can support people who are uneasy in deep water. The activity description even allows for a guide to assist a swimmer with a buoy, which tells you that beginners are expected.

Still, you need to be honest about your limits. This is open-water snorkeling, not a shallow swimming pool. If the sea is choppy or the water feels cold, you may enjoy a shorter swim and spend more time watching from the boat. January water can feel too cold for some people, even though Red Sea temperatures seldom fall below 20 degrees Celsius in winter.

Equipment arrangements deserve attention. Snorkeling gear is included only if selected as an add-on. One account says mask and snorkel rental at the port cost $5, with no fins available there. Confirm the equipment option before you leave the hotel, especially if you are particular about fit.

White Island, Sand, and a Change of Pace

White Island provides a break from reef viewing. The visit lasts about 45 minutes and is reached by a small tender from the main boat. Its pale sand and shallow-looking setting create a different kind of Red Sea stop.

I like having this pause in the day. After snorkeling, you can walk, sit, or simply look back at the open water. Children enjoyed the tender ride, which adds a little excitement without turning the whole outing into a high-speed attraction.

Do not expect a large island with facilities. The name describes the simple appeal: a bright sandbar surrounded by sea. Conditions can affect how much of it is visible, and the supplied details do not promise changing rooms or toilets there. Keep your belongings secure and follow the crew’s instructions when moving between the boat and tender.

The schedule places lunch near the Ras Mohammed portion of the trip, with about an hour set aside. Depending on the day’s order, White Island and the snorkeling stops may not happen in exactly the same sequence.

A Seafood Buffet Prepared on Board

Lunch is one of the better features of the cruise. The menu includes seafood soup, three fresh salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit.

The kitchen prepares the food on board while the boat is out at sea. That gives the meal a fresher feel than a packed buffet assembled hours earlier. Several people found the food plentiful and especially good, with one calling it better than their hotel meal. The cooking is not fine dining, but it is more substantial than the usual sandwich-and-water boat lunch.

The menu also works for mixed groups. You can choose seafood, chicken, or Egyptian kofta, then add salads and starches. If you have a strict dietary requirement, ask the provider before booking because the available information does not list special menus or allergy procedures.

Waiter service is advertised throughout the day for hot and soft drinks. Staff regularly check on passengers and offer refills, which is useful in the sun. At the same time, the drink policy needs clarification because one account described paying for refreshments beyond small cups of cola and lemonade. I would ask what unlimited means on your departure, rather than assume every beverage is included.

Service, Language, and Family Comfort

The crew’s attentive manner is one of the most consistent strengths. Staff check on people in the water, bring drinks to sun loungers, and help nervous swimmers stay calm. That level of contact matters on a boat, where a small problem can quickly become stressful.

The available instruction is offered in English, German, and Russian. The quality of personal guide interaction can vary, so do not assume every guide will give a long presentation. The strongest support seems to come during snorkeling, where guides are actively watching the group.

Families should find the format workable. Children receive close attention from the dive team, and the tender ride to White Island adds variety. Parents should still supervise their children closely, particularly during boarding, tender transfers, and open-water swimming.

The cruise is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the supplied details do not explain how a wheelchair reaches the boat, decks, rear platform, or tender. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the exact arrangements before booking. Accessibility on a large boat can depend on marina conditions and the sea transfer.

Who Will Get the Most From This $80 Cruise

I would choose this outing if you want a full Red Sea day with comfort, food, and support, not simply the cheapest ride to a reef. The top deck, air-conditioned salons, shade, and service make the long sailing sections easier.

It suits you especially well if:

• You are a beginner swimmer who wants a guide close by.
• You want several snorkeling opportunities rather than one short stop.
• You are traveling with children or a mixed-ability group.
• You prefer a quieter boat without loud music.
• You value a proper lunch and room to sit between swims.
• You want a large vessel with both open-air and air-conditioned areas.

I would hesitate if you dislike long boat rides, cannot tolerate choppy water, or want a tightly scheduled luxury transfer from hotel to marina. The word VIP describes the boat more accurately than every part of the operation. The vessel feels polished, but the transfer and extra-cost details require attention.

What to Confirm Before You Book

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. That helps if your Sharm schedule is still changing.

Before paying, I would confirm four points:

• Is the 5 euro marina fee already included?
• Is snorkeling gear included, or do you need to select it as an add-on?
• Are all hot and soft drinks included, or only selected drinks?
• Will your hotel transfer be shared or arranged privately?

You should receive the exact pickup time on WhatsApp about 24 hours before departure. Plan for pickup roughly an hour before the boat leaves, and keep your afternoon free beyond the advertised 4:00 p.m. return.

Should You Book the Elite VIP Ras Mohammed Cruise?

Yes, if you want a comfortable, well-serviced day on the Red Sea and you care about support in the water. The best parts are clear: excellent guide attention, several reef stops, a generous boat, comfortable loungers, and a strong lunch.

I would book it for a nervous swimmer, a family, or anyone who wants more space than a basic day boat provides. I would also choose it for the quiet atmosphere and the chance to move between sun, shade, and air conditioning.

Just go in with realistic expectations. The sea may be cold or rough, snorkeling gear and marina entry may cost extra, and the road transfer may be less refined than the boat. Confirm the drink policy, bring sunscreen and swimwear, and leave room in your schedule for delays. With those details settled, $80 is a solid price for a full day at Ras Mohammed.

FAQ

How long does the Ras Mohammed cruise last?

The activity lasts about seven hours, departing around 9:00 a.m. and returning to the marina around 4:00 p.m. Hotel pickup usually takes place roughly one hour before departure.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The program includes three stops at snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park. The schedule also includes a visit to White Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is included only if you select it as an add-on. Equipment may also be available to hire at the port. One stated option costs $5 for a mask and snorkel, with no fins available there.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet includes seafood soup, three salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fresh fruit.

Are drinks included?

Waiter service for hot and soft drinks is advertised throughout the day. However, the exact drink selection should be confirmed before departure, as additional refreshments may carry a charge.

Is there an extra marina fee?

Yes. The mandatory marina entrance fee is 5 euros per person. You can pay it on arrival or prepay it through the available add-on.

Is the cruise suitable for people who are not confident swimmers?

Yes. Guides accompany the snorkeling sessions, life jackets are available, and the boat has a low rear platform for entering the water. The activity is also listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the practical boarding arrangements if needed.